1
2
as in to disturb
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
there's no need to agitate the patient about little things
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to shake
to make a series of small irregular or violent movements
set the washing machine so it will agitate for four minutes before going into the rinse cycle
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to discuss
to talk about (an issue) usually from various points of view and for the purpose of arriving at a decision or opinion
a question which has been agitated by the legislature time and time again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of agitate
Place lasagna noodles in a 9- x 13- inch baking dish; cover with hot or boiling water to submerge and set aside to soak until noodles are pliable, about 30 minutes, agitating noodles occasionally to prevent them from sticking together.
—
Nicole Hopper, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2025
For instance, trust will be eroded when a person demonstrates a lack of temperance, which manifests as being agitated, impatient, inattentive, rash, and anxious instead of being composed, patient, prudent, self-controlled, and calm.
—Mary Crossan, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
And in a highly personalistic international system, especially one agitated by undisciplined digital diplomacy, such a dynamic could take hold elsewhere.
—Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
As Mars agitates Chiron, ask yourself what scares you most: losing face or losing respect.
—USA TODAY, 3 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for agitate
Nicole Hopper, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2025
For instance, trust will be eroded when a person demonstrates a lack of temperance, which manifests as being agitated, impatient, inattentive, rash, and anxious instead of being composed, patient, prudent, self-controlled, and calm.
—Mary Crossan, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
And in a highly personalistic international system, especially one agitated by undisciplined digital diplomacy, such a dynamic could take hold elsewhere.
—Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
As Mars agitates Chiron, ask yourself what scares you most: losing face or losing respect.
—USA TODAY, 3 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for agitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitate
Verb
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Continue adding stock as needed, stirring frequently, and cook for another 9 minutes or until the rice is al dente and the vegetables are tender.—
Shivani Vora,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
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Add the onion, carrot, celery and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft, about 8 minutes. 2: Add the water, beans (with their liquid), tomatoes, bay leaves, salt, black pepper, oregano and red pepper flakes, if using, and stir to combine.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
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No doubt, climate change threatens to muck it all up, disturbing patterns that have existed for centuries.—
Ray Mark Rinaldi,
Denver Post,
28 Apr. 2025
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This tactic—arresting judges for their courtroom decisions—has disturbing echoes in other countries where judicial independence has been undermined: in Viktor Orbán’s Hungary, in Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s Turkey, and in other places where democracy has given way to executive supremacy.—
Andy J. Semotiuk,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The United States Geological Survey reports that light shaking could be felt as far southeast as Bursa, which is approximately 97 miles south of Istanbul.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
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On Tuesday, not so much, the Lakers showing their clear dominance in every area backed by a legendarily springtime loud home crowd that annually shakes, rattles and rolls.—
Bill Plaschke,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The board will discuss the timeline and process to fill the vacancy at its upcoming special board meeting on April 24.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Apr. 2025
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First Things First Nick Wright discusses what the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants should do with the No. 2 and 3 picks.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow was popular enough that fans wanted a solo story, but the studio didn't bother to make it until her character was already dead in the major timeline, then skipped the theatrical release, which Johansson sued them about.—
Elizabeth Logan,
Glamour,
19 Apr. 2025
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The Mavericks defeated the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night in Sacramento, 120-106; the Mavs led by more than 20 points in the first half, and the Kings never bothered to muster much of a run to make this interesting.—
Mac Engel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Why could not the engineers simply have made the device vibrate and/or light up when locking the door?—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
3 Apr. 2025
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As news that Williams had been apprehended spread, Dahl’s phone started vibrating with texts from friends.—
Ronan Farrow,
The New Yorker,
24 Mar. 2025
Verb
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His remarks come as House Republicans continue to debate key elements of the package, including Medicaid funding and the state and local tax deduction.—
Amanda Castro
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 May 2025
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Though Republicans had the numbers to advance the measure, Democrats drew out the markup by debating more than 20 amendments that touched mostly on Hegseth.—
Ellen Mitchell,
The Hill,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Too often, however, the temptation to blame individuals or groups for housing ills distracts from the actual debate and prevents all stakeholders from discovering their mutual interests.—
Matt Frazier,
Forbes.com,
21 Apr. 2025
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The scientists now plan on developing the technology further, which will include boosting its ability to filter out distracting background noises such as those produced by body movements.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
19 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Agitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitate. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
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